Keith Mitchell shoots 41-29 for even-par 70 at U.S. Open

The first round of the 126th U.S. Open began Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island.

A win for world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler would complete the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday. Rory McIlroy, who completed the Grand Slam in 2025 and won the Masters in 2026, could reach seven career majors with another victory this week.

The field includes a strong amateur contingent: NCAA champion Preston Stout, 17-year-old Miles Russell and Auburn's Jackson Koivun.

The USGA said it planned to syringe the greens with water because of expected high winds.

Keith Mitchell had the most unusual round. He started on the 10th hole and made double bogey, then added bogeys on the 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th for a 41 on the back nine.

Mitchell birdied the first, third and fourth holes on the front nine. He eagled the par-five fifth and birdied the seventh for a 29. His 41-29 card produced an even-par 70.

It was the seventh time in U.S. Open history that a player shot 29 on nine holes, and the first time a player posted rounds in the 40s and 20s in the same round.

Scheffler made four bogeys, a double bogey and four birdies for a 72. McIlroy bogeyed the 18th hole and finished at 1 under.

Wyndham Clark reached 6 under through 16 holes and leads by four shots.